Car-coupling.



Patented Nov'. 4,4902. Nr TOWEFL CAR COUP'LING.

(Application Bled Aug. 20, 1901.)

` 2 .Sheets-'Sheet I.

(No Moden) M .my i,

No. 7l2.980. Patented Nov. 4, |902.

\ I N TDWER l CAR COUPLING.

(Appl, e mdAug 2o 1901 2 Sheng-sheet -2.

(No Model.) Y

UNrrnn Sterns Arent i Friuli.

care-couPLlNe.

SPECIFICATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,980, dated November 4.., 1902.

Application filed August 20! 1901. SerialNo. 72.727. (Ndmodel.)

To a/Z whom it inw/y concern.'

Be it known that I, IsAAo N. TOWER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Meeker, in the parish of Rapides and State of Louisiana, have invented a new and useful Car- Coupler, of which lthe following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in car-couplings.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of car-couplings and the means for mounting the same on a car and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive car-coupling capable of coupling automatically and adapted to afford considerable longitudinal movement or play to enable trains ofgreat length to be readilystarted.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, partly in section, of two draw-heads constructed in accordance with this invention and arrangedffor automatic coupling. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the drawheads. Fig. Sis afront elevation of the saine. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the draw-head. Fig. 5 Visv a `similar view taken transversely of the draw-bar and illustrating the manner of mounting the same. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the locking-block. Fig. 7 is a similarview of the vertically-movable device for operating the locking-block, the parts being separated. Fig. S is a detail view of the spring-engaged block for cushioning the car-coupling in starting a train. Fig. 9 is a detail view ofthe knuckle of the draw-head. Fig. 10 is a detail view ot' one of the springengaged plates.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a draw-head provided with a draw-bar 2, arranged between draft-timbers 3 of a car 4 and having a transverse slot 5. The drawhead is supported between the draft-timbers by suitable cross bars or pieces, and the transverse slot or opening 5 receives a transverse bar 6, to which the draft rods or bars 7 are connected. The draft rods or bars 7 extend the entire length of the car and conneet the two draw-heads thereof, and outer cushioning-springs S are interposed between the transverse bars 6 and the inner or rear walls or ends of the draw-bars. The inner or rear end of the spring 8 is seated against the inner or rear end of the draw-bar, which has a longitudinal opening, and the front or outer cud receives a stein 9 of a block 10, slidably mounted in the opening of the drawbar and provided at its front end with a groove 11 for the reception of the adjacent edge of the bar 6. Therear end of the drawbar lits against the plate 12 and is cushioned by a spring 13, interposed between the plate 2 and a similar plate 14. The plate 12 in provided at opposite sides with tongues which are arranged in longitudinal grooves 15 of the draft-timbers. The plate 14 is provided with tongues which are arranged in suitable recesses of the draft-timbers, and the latter are connected by transverse rods 16. These springs cushion the draw-head in coupling, backing, and hauling, and the draft mechanism will permit the necessary longitudinal play of the parts to enable the cars of a long train to be successively started.

Th'e draw-head has pivoted to one side of it a knuckle 17, which when released is automatically opened bya spring 18, and the arm of the knuckle when the latter is closed is engaged by a verticallymovable lockingblock 19, recessed or cut away at its front to provide a beveled or inclined face 20, adapted to be engaged by the arm of the knuckle, whereby the locking-block is automatically raised when the knuckle is closed. When the arm of the knuckle passes inward beyond the locking-block, the latter falls and holds the knuckle in its closed position.

The locking-block is held in its engaging position by a coiled spring 21, seated in a recess of the top of the'locking-block and engaging the top of the draw-head, and the locking-block is elevated by a verticallymovable lifting-bar 22, having its upper portion extended through the top of the drawhead 23. The lower portion of the liftingbar is cut away at the recess of the lockingblock, and the lower end of the bar 22 is connected to an arm 24 of a vertical guide-bar 25, which passes through openings 26 and 27 of the locking-block and the draw-head and through the spring 2l. The upper portion of the lifting-bar is connected with the locking-block by a pin 28, arranged in perforations or sockets 29 and 30 of the bar 22 and the block 19. The pin positively connects the locking-block with the lifting-bar, so that the two parts move in unison, whether actuated by the spring 2l or by the uncoupling mechanism. The uncoupling mechanism consists of a shaft 3l, journaled in suitable bearings of the car and provided at its ends with arms 32 and 33, the outerarm foriningahandle and the inner arm being connected with the lifting-bar. In order to facilitate the operation of coupling, the draw-head is provided at the side opposite that at which the knuckle is pivoted with an antifriction-roller 34, and the antifriction-rollers of two drawheads are adapted to permit the latter to slide freely on each other in coupling. The antifriction-roller, which is disposed vertically, is mounted in a suitable recess of the drawhead on a pivoted knuckle 35, and it projects outward beyond the draw-head at the end and sides of the guard-arm 36, as shown. The engaging portion of the knuckle is provided with a coupling-pin perforationand a recess to enable the draw-head to be connected with an ordinary pinand-link car-coupling.

What I claim is- 1. In a car-coupling a draw-head having a pivoted knuckle at one side and provided at the opposite side with an arm having an antifriction device arranged to engage another draw-head to permit two draw-heads to slide freely on each other in coupling, substantially as described.

2. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head, a knuckle pivoted to the drawhead at one side thereof, and a vertically-disposed antifriction roller mounted on the draw-head at the opposite side thereof, substantially as described.

3. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head, a pivoted knuckle, a lockingblock, a lifting-bar arranged at one side of the locking-block, a guide-bar connected with the lower portion of the lifting-bar and eX- tending through the locking-block, a spring disposed on the guide-bar and engaging the locking-block, and means for connecting the lifting-bar With the locking-block, substantially as described.

4. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head, a pivoted knuckle, a verticallymovable locking-block, a lifting-bar arranged at one side of the block, a guilde-bar extending through the block and having an arm at its lower end connected with the lifting-bar, a pin connecting the latter with the block, and a spring disposed on the guide-bar and seated in a recess of the lock and engaging the draw-head, substantially as described.

ISAAC N. TOWER.

Witnesses:

F. G. DROUET, H. A. PRINGLE. 

